At last Saturday night's hockey game the Iowa Wild held "Pink In The Rink." This special night was to celebrate breast cancer survivors, remember those who fought the battle and lost, and to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
It was an amazing night. Off the ice fans were donned in pink from head to toe: pink hair, pink jerseys, pink shirts, pink socks and pink shoes. On the ice the Iowa Wild were sporting special pink jerseys just for this game. Pink thundersticks that lit up were given to the first 5,000 fans through the doors. And just prior to the start of the game three breast cancer survivors dropped the ceremonial puck(s).
At one intermission the lights in the whole arena were dimmed and those who had a diagnosis of breast cancer were asked to light up their thundersticks. Then those who had an immediate family member with breast cancer were asked to light up theirs in addition. Finally, anyone who had been touched by breast cancer in any way was asked to light up their thundersticks. With well over 10,000 people in attendance, it was a sobering reminder how many of us in that arena had been affected by breast cancer.
If you overlooked the pink, which was impossible to do, this was a hard-hitting hockey game, and just like every other game it was one which the Iowa Wild wanted to win. It's not often in hockey you hear someone yell, "Go Pink!" You have to smile when you hear that.
(Photo by the Iowa Wild)
The Iowa Wild have done so much for Central Iowa. While they have only been playing hockey in Des Moines for 4 months they have made their presence well known. They have brought the excitement of AHL hockey back to Des Moines in amazing style. They have won over their fans with not only the way they give their all every game, but also the way they interact with us.
Even more importantly, the players are winning over the hearts of Central Iowans outside of the rink. They are not just playing hockey in this community, they are living here as well. Not living as in setting up a place of residence, but living as in taking part and making it their home.
The players go to the schools and teach floor hockey to students.
They go to hospitals to visit sick children.
They read to kids in the schools.
They honor someone from the military at each game with a "Hero of the Game," and tell about their service to our country.
One player, Jon Blum, gives tickets to military families.
They collected peanut butter and jelly for a PB & J drive.
At another game they gathered canned goods for a food pantry.
They had a Teddy Bear Toss where fans threw a teddy bear on the ice when they scored their first goal of the game - then the players delivered the 1,200 teddy bears and other stuffed animals to children in the hospital...
.....and the list goes on.
Even more importantly, the players are winning over the hearts of Central Iowans outside of the rink. They are not just playing hockey in this community, they are living here as well. Not living as in setting up a place of residence, but living as in taking part and making it their home.
The players go to the schools and teach floor hockey to students.
They go to hospitals to visit sick children.
They read to kids in the schools.
They honor someone from the military at each game with a "Hero of the Game," and tell about their service to our country.
One player, Jon Blum, gives tickets to military families.
They collected peanut butter and jelly for a PB & J drive.
At another game they gathered canned goods for a food pantry.
They had a Teddy Bear Toss where fans threw a teddy bear on the ice when they scored their first goal of the game - then the players delivered the 1,200 teddy bears and other stuffed animals to children in the hospital...
.....and the list goes on.
Of course, the Iowa Wild are here to play hockey and each player hopes to get called up to the Minnesota Wild, their NHL affiliate team. They all have the same dream and are just one call away from getting their chance at "the big league". But while here, however brief their stay may be, they are making a huge difference in the lives of thousands of Iowans.
When the hockey season is over the average person on the street will not be able to tell you the Iowa Wild win-loss record, the name of the top scorer on the team, or the goalies' save percentages. But make no mistake, long after the last goal horn has sounded and the final bit of ice has been removed from Wells Fargo Arena, this team will be remembered for what they did off the ice.
By the way, the Iowa Wild lost the game.
The people of Central Iowa won.... again.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.